McLaughlin's U.S. Men's A2 Team Wins Pan American Gold

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -
Led by UCSB men's volleyball head coach Rick McLaughlin, the U.S. Men's A2 Volleyball Team won its third straight Pan American Cup title on Saturday as it swept Argentina in the gold medal match, 25-23, 25-21, 30-28, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum.

The U.S. won the tournament with a 5-0 record. Argentina took silver at 3-1. Puerto Rico defeated Brazil in the bronze medal match, 3-1 (25-18, 25-17, 16-25, 25-17).

McLaughlin also led the U.S. to Pan Am gold in 2009 in Mexico.

Jayson Jablonsky (Yorba Linda, Calif.), selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led the U.S. with 19 points on 15 kills (0.65 attack percentage), three blocks and the United States' only ace.

"I am really happy for my guys who kept improving with every match of the tournament," McLaughlin said. "It was a real battle between two teams with the same characteristics, good setters and two good outside hitters."

The United States out-blocked Argentina 12-2. Argentina had more total kills than the U.S. (49-46) and more aces (6-1), but Team USA's attack percentage was 0.50 while Argentina's was 0.43. The United States also scored on 21 Argentinean errors while committing only 15.

The Argentineans praised the play of the United States during the post-match press conference.

"We lost to a team that played better than us," Coach Alejandro Grossi said. "Their attack was amazing and played great defense stretching us to the limit of our ability."

Argentina's Demian Gonzalez added: "I am sad because we couldn't win but also happy because our team had the chance to compete in this tournament which was good for our young squad."

Among other U.S. players, setter Brian Thornton (San Clemente, Calif.) scored one point on one kill and was also credited with 26 running sets and no faults on 75 attempts.

Libero Dustin Watten (Long Beach, Calif.) had four digs and 10 faults on 21 attempts. He was also credited with nine excellent receptions and three faults in 17 attempts. Tarr led the U.S. with 18 excellent receptions and two faults in 38 attempts.

McLaughlin started Jablonsky and Tarr at outside hitter, Brunner and Smith at middle blocker, Clark at opposite, Thornton at setter and Watten at libero.